February 12
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WHO IS LIKE THE LORD OUR GOD?
Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD! 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD.
From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
6 Who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 To make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD! – Psalm 113:1-9
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According to the ESV Bible Study footnotes this short hymn of praise celebrates the way in which the great God who rules over all takes notice of the lowly. Such a God is indeed worthy to be praised by all mankind. Psalms 113-118 have been used in connection with Passover. These psalms likely provided the hymn that Jesus and his disciples sang after the Passover meal (Matt 26:30).
This hymn elevates a God who sees all especially even the poor and the lowly (verse 7). It is amazing to remember that he is a God of Justice (verse 7-9) who brings equality to those who are poor and deprived. God’s people must never forget this one and only God who loves all his creation. We must revel and worship this God who is faithful, just and loving.
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ADORATION: You are one of a kind. We praise you Lord of all creation, full of love and mercy. You are just and fair to all of mankind. You are holy and righteous.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to be fair to others especially when I forget those who are in need and hurting.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your unwavering and unfailing love and mercy to undeserving people like us.
SUPPLICATION: May all the earth give glory to God who is one of a kind and full of mercy.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers maintain a posture of worship to the one true God daily?
Tag Archives: ILMA’s Poem Devotional
THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY Poem Devotional
February 11
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THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY
The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the LORD, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
They kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.
8 O LORD our God, you answered them;
You were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; For the LORD our God is holy!
– Psalm 99:1-9
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This psalm revels at God’s holiness and sovereignty over his people. All his people give glory to a king who loves justice and righteousness. The hymn mentions those whom God chose to lead his people to righteousness and obedience so him such as Jacob, Moses, Aaron and Samuel. These people were testimonies of God’s forgiveness, power and faithfulness. This psalm calls for all of God’s people to worship him for the Lord our God is holy.
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ADORATION: Praise be to you O Lord for you are holy, just and sovereign over all things.
CONFESSION: Grant me forgiveness when I forget to look up and revel at your holiness.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all your faithful provision, mercy, grace and love.
SUPPLICATION: May all people worship you with the way they live, and with their mouths.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for a Christian to revel at God’s holiness?
• What happens when we forget the righteousness of God?
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD Poem Devotional
February 10
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MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD
Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made known his salvation;
He has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
Break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
Make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together
9 Before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. – Psalm 98:1-9
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This psalm is a celebration of God’s marvelous deeds for his people. This psalm reminds me of New Year’s celebration in my country of origin, the Philippines. Filipinos celebrate the coming of the year with a big bang, loud firecrackers and fireworks that probably lasts for a minimum of an hour and a maximum of four hours. Why can’t we do that for God who made all things? This psalm shouts and gives praises to the Lord who granted deliverance for the house of Israel. It also tells the whole world that God can do the same for all nations and it invites all people to praise the Lord.
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ADORATION: Shout and make noises to rejoice because the Lord is good. Praise him forever! He delivers his people from all evil and brings peace and joy to all mankind.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord when I am not expressing gratitude that declares your love.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being faithful and a promise keeper.
SUPPLICATION: May all people declare and shout out loud their praises to the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is rejoicing and making noises to the Lord something all Christians must do?
GOD IS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH Poem Devotional
GOD IS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
2 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.
3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted! – Psalm 47:1-9
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The ESV bible study states that this psalm celebrates God’s rule over all the earth. The promises to Abraham (47:9) that all people will be blessed in him (Gen 12:3), are founded on the fact that there’s only one true God. All mankind owes him love and loyalty.
How often do people show love and allegiance to God in this very corrupt world we live in? We could learn from the Israelites how they revel at the God who is king over all the earth. It is infectious how they revere, love and glorify the one true God of all creation.
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ADORATION: Praise the King over all the earth. You are mighty, majestic and unparalleled. We clap our hands and shout to God with loud songs of joy.
CONFESSION: Forgive us when we get distracted with the busy-ness and craziness of this world and forget that you are in control and that you are to be exalted.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the unconditional love you give to undeserving people like us.
SUPPLICATION: May you be known by the whole humanity! May they see you as the king over all the earth and bow down to you alone.
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REFLECTION
• If God is king over all the earth, how come even those who commit to Christ forget to celebrate this truth?
• How would you act when you are be face to face with the God who created all things? What would you do and what would be your posture?
THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SKILLS Poem Devotional
February 7
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THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SKILLS
To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me,
Lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help,
When I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.
3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil,
Who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds;
Give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands,
He will tear them down and build them up no more.
6 Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
My heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever. – Psalm 28:1-9
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This is a psalm of lament. The pit (verse 1) probably refers to a big threat that will bring them down. Trust in the Lord is the main theme of this psalm. It describes that in the most dangerous situation, they call on the Lord and lift up their hands towards his holy sanctuary, waiting on the Lord’s response. The people know in their hearts that the source of their strength and skills comes only from the Lord. Their dependence on God is so amazing and their declaration that God is their rock is astounding.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are the rock where I can find stability and strength. Praise to you!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to ask for help and strength from you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for granting us strength and skills to overcome evil.
SUPPLICATION: May all those who love you be renewed and strengthened.
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REFLECTION
• How can the attitude of total dependence on God bring about strength?
• Why do you think God’s people trusts God so much as reflected in this psalm?
TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD Poem Devotional
February 6
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TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
And in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! 6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
9 O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call. – Psalm 20:1-9
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This psalm is a royal psalm and is paired with Psalm 21. It is a prayer requesting God to grant David triumph in the battles he fights. It is a blessing to the king as he fulfills his anointing to save the Israelites. It is a hopeful declaration of trust that the Lord will anoint and bless their king because the Lord himself chose and anointed David.
How often do we pray for our leaders and rulers? 1 Timothy 1-4 encourages us to pray for those in authority so that we will live peaceful and godly lives. This psalm is a good reminder for us to lift up our leaders and rulers in prayer. This way, they may fulfill how God intended them to lead the people assigned to them and propagate peace in their region. When we pray for authorities, we participate in the kingdom plan to be fulfilled.
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ADORATION: Praise and bless you Lord! We shout for joy for you have redeemed us all.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to pray for those who are leading our nations.
THANKSGIVING: We are grateful for all our leaders. Thank you that you are in control.
SUPPLICATION: May all leaders have a servant leadership like Jesus did. May they see their roles as opportunities to pursue peace and humility and bring peace to all nations.
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REFLECTION
• What benefits do we reap when we pray for all leaders and rulers?
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART Poem Devotional
February 4
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GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
Before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple
And give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
For you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
For they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
You stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And your right hand delivers me.8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands. – Psalm 138:1-8
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Giving thanks to the Lord with all our hearts can be very challenging in our busy world today where we live very comfortable lives. This psalm is a reminder to bow down to a faithful God who is always there especially manifested in his name and in his word. Without praising his name and letting the word permeate our lives, we can’t have that grateful attitude that sings praise to him wholeheartedly.
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ADORATION: Praise your name forever, my Lord and my God.
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I don’t wholeheartedly worship you with all my heart, mind, soul and might.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all your unconditional love and provision for all my needs.
SUPPLICATION: May all men recognize the One true God in you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think gratefulness is an act of the heart and not of the mind?
• Can we be grateful without manifesting it in words and action? Will that bless the giver?
• What are you grateful today that God has clearly given you?
MY SOUL WAITS FOR THE LORD Poem Devotional
February 3
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MY SOUL WAITS FOR THE LORD
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! 2O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning,
More than watchmen for the morning.7 O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. – Psalm 130:1-8
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This psalm is an individual lament, expressing repentance and trust in God’s mercy. The psalmist reaches out from the depth of his agony. The plea for God to hear him is so marked in this cry for forgiveness. He recognizes his sinfulness and magnifies at how God could stand such sins he has committed, but also sees hope because he knows how great is God’s faithfulness and mercy. He waits on the Lord’s forgiveness after the acknowledgement of his sins with an expectancy that is such a picture of hope and new life.
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ADORATION: You are the Maker of all things. Mercy and grace abound in you and you give it so generously to all your creation. Praise the Lord, he is all good and faithful.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I forget to magnify at the generosity of your heart and when I forget to bow down on my knees to ask forgiveness and depend on you.
THANKSGIVING: I am grateful for all that you are and all that you grant us. You fulfill all my needs.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have a repentant heart and always hopefully wait on the Lord’s mercy whenever they recognize their sins.
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REFLECTION
• How can we develop a heart that cries to God especially when we realize our sinfulness and pride?
• How is righteous lamenting different from condemning oneself when we are convicted of sins?
THEY HAVE AFFLICTED ME FROM MY YOUTH Poem Devotional
February 2
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THEY HAVE AFFLICTED ME FROM MY YOUTH
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—let Israel now say—
2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.”
4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,
7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand
Nor the binder of sheaves his arms,8 nor do those who pass by say,
“The blessing of the LORD be upon you!
We bless you in the name of the LORD!” – Psalm 129:1-8
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This psalm is a song of ascents or a pilgrim song which reflects what God’s people have endured and how God has sustained them. Verse 2 “afflicted me from my youth” indicates the longsuffering and “yet they have not prevailed against me” shows that because God has been faithful to walk alongside with them, they have endured. The psalm shows the trust that the Israelites have for the Lord, knowing that he will defend them from all those who hate them or plan evil against them. Because of their dependence and faith on the Lord, we can see how they can ask the Lord such protection and know in their hearts that they will be heard and that they will be blessed just like how a child believes that their own parents would grant them their requests.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are magnificently omniscient and omnipotent. You are a great Father to all your children, providing and protecting all your loved ones.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I do not endure the trials that come my way and when I become proud and forget that it is you who defends me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the opportunities you give me to constantly rely on you.
SUPPLICATION: May all your people bear all their trials and sufferings knowing that you have them covered and that you are in control. May we learn to let go of taking things into our own hands.
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REFLECTION
• How can we deepen our dependency on God in this very “self” focused world?
MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD Poem Devotional
January 31
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MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forevermore. -Psalm 121:1-8
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This psalm is a confidence song of those who make the pilgrim to Jerusalem, the top of the hill. It keeps the pilgrim encouraged to keep on looking at the top of the hill instead of focusing on the other elements of the travel that will keep them distracted to finish the journey. It is the same with our walk with Jesus. If we keep our eyes on Christ, we will receive the help we need and the sustenance to endure. God doesn’t sleep, He watches over us and keeps us away from all the distractions in life if we abide in him. He wants us to finish the race and hand us the reward at the end.
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ADORATION: Praise you O my God who never slumbers but always keeps watch on his people. You grant us all the love and protection we need. We adore you and bless you.
CONFESSION: Whenever I allow myself to be distracted by worldly stuff, forgive me Lord. I repent of idols that I unknowingly pay attention. Forgive me when I remove my eyes on you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your love and unfailing mercy and grace.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers remember to constantly fix their eyes on you. May all idols be smashed so that there will be no other distractions that hinders our intimacy with you, my Lord and my God.
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REFLECTION
• How can we constantly keep our eyes on the Lord in this very busy and chaotic world?
• What are the distractions you struggle with in your daily life?